Woman Pleads Guilty in Nev. Killing

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, January 3, 2002

An emergency room technician pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of murder for killing her 17-year-old pregnant niece and cutting the fetus from her womb.

In exchange for Erin Kuhn's plea, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

Authorities say Kuhn killed Kathaleena Draper in June 2000 after she changed her mind about letting Kuhn adopt the baby.

Kuhn, 33, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of first-degree murder for Draper's death and one-count of second-degree murder for the death of the baby.

A coroner was unable to pinpoint the baby's cause of death, but medical experts said the child was healthy and would have survived if it had been delivered normally. It was about a month shy of full term.

Kuhn faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. A two-day sentencing hearing was set for Feb. 28 and March 1.

Her lawyer, Tod Young, said the plea agreement was "in everyone's best interest."